The door to the shuttle clicked.

It roused Inara, who slowly rose from the comfort of her bed to find the couch Riverless. Pulling on a robe and slippers, she headed out. Walking onto the gangway, she was there just in time to see River slip off towards the common room. The Companion followed suit, her pace quickening until she caught up with the Reader. She was lingering in the hallway of the guest bunk rooms, her head twisting about, as if each wall had an opinion. "Ri-"

"I told you to go to your bunk!" The voice came from within one of the rooms, the room River veered towards.

Inara took a step in front River, staring at the door as a whine came from a much smaller voice.

"Tummy ache." River whimpered.

The door opened and William ran into Inara's legs, stumbling back to show her wide, frightened eyes wet with unshed tears. Mal's eyes. They made her heart flip. "Is everything alright?"

He sniffled, toddling back a few steps and gazing up at her in surprise.

His brother came up from behind. "Yes?" Warren asked, startled by the company.

"Is everything alright?" She offered once more. "Heard quite a commotion."

William coughed, then looked down at his feet silently, guiltily.

"He's just having problems sleeping." Warren divulged with the annoyance of being forced to be a parent to his little brother. "He's gonna go back to his room, though." He said pointedly. "Sorry about the noise."

The Companion rolled her lips into her mouth, watching the little boy who was using one of Simon's shirts as a nightgown trying his best not to cry. "Did you have a nightmare?" She asked softly.

The shaggy little head nodded a yes as a sniffle escaped. "And my stomach aches." He muttered.

"Eat too much at dinner?" She quizzed sweetly.

"Stuffed himself silly." Warren rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Well it hurts." William whined, looking like a child that desperately wanted someone to scoop him up and coddle him.

"Tummy ache." River repeated.

Inara hesitated. It wasn't like her to hesitate. Her training had sculpted her into a naturing, patient person. However her mind still whispered at her that the boy was Mal's from a life long ago, and she was still working through that. Dismissing the notions, she moved in and gingerly placed a hand atop his head. His hair was soft, like down. "I can help with both." She offered a hand.

William paused, thinking things through before accepting her offer as well as her hand.

"Warren, you're welcome to come too." Inara offered over her shoulder as she led William and River off.

Warren watched the trio leave. He lingered, but eventually followed.

Leading the group up the stairs, Inara took them to the shuttle. "So how do you like Serenity so far?"

William glanced up at her. She was so beautiful and warm he wanted to trust her. But he wasn't sure. "It's dark, and grey." He said honestly, a little furrow in his brow as he was still deciding on Inara. "And there are lots of noises."

"I suppose those can be frightening." She opened the door. "Have you ever been on a ship?"

"When I was a baby. But I don't 'member that." He stopped, not knowing what to think about the shuttle's lush interior. It was so rich and inviting dripping in silks and fringe; like nothing he'd ever seen before in his short life. "This-This yours?"

"It is." Watching him, she took in his awe and hesitation before giving him a nudge inside. She ushered the others in, with Warren gawking as River retreated back to her couch. "Why don't you two climb up on the bed and take a seat, I'll go make some tea." They wandered over in the direction of the bed and Inara went to her tea serving set.

"Wa. Ma'm-"

"Inara." She corrected Warren.

"Inara, your shuttle is very… shiny." He muttered, his eyes still lost in all the tapestries.

"Why thank you." Lighting the burner, she set the kettle in the samovar. "You made an awfully big leap coming onboard."

"We had to. He's our father." Warren explained shakily. "Our family. We don't got that."

"I admire your courage." Turning, she headed over to a chest and took out a thick, plush blanket. Going to the bed she sat on the edge next to William and draped it over him. "Here, let's get you two comfortable."

"Oh no, M'am-Inara." Warren scooted away. "We're fine."

"Your little brother's have trouble sleeping. We're going to fix that." It was clear to her Warren didn't want to get too comfortable around strangers. He was older and there was less trust. "You can have the blanket at the foot of the bed if you'd like."

The youngest looked down at the blanket wrapped around him in awe, his little hands carefully feeling the soft fabric that was a deep plum color. Inara stacked some pillows behind him as he studied it. Suddenly he felt a hand run through his hair, and he stopped thinking about the blanket. Looking up at her, he found her kind, comforting face.

"You want to talk about your nightmare?" Inara petted his hair, trying not to get lost in his eyes. They were so close to Mal's; so big and blue it made her uncomfortable.

He shook his head and let out a yawn. She guided him closer and he leaned against her side.

"How about the stomach? Still ache?"

"I had two helpings of dinner. Then Miss Kaylee had a big box of candy and she gave us some." He said uncomfortably, cradling his upset stomach.

"He looked like one'a those gooses. Still kinda does." The oldest teased sleepily. Even though he felt tired, he watched her carefully. The way she coddled William, using the back of her fingers to pet his sick belly and letting him snuggle up to her was near maternal. However Warren wasn't ready to buy into that just yet.

Inara smiled fondly at the thought of Kaylee spoiling the boys with some of her sweets. "Next time you should slow down when you're eating, that way you don't get sick."

"Was hungry." William grunted, settling back against the pillows and picking at the blanket. "And it weren't protein or congee."

The kettle hissed and Inara rose. She found the right tea blend and placed it in a stainer, carefully pouring the water from the kettle into the strainer and into the cup. Repeating the action with another cup. "River."

"Better now." She murmured sleepily from her couch. Minds had settled back and the winds were calmer once more. Nestling her head against one of the plush pillows, the psychic sighed heavily. "Knew you'd help them. You're good at helping. Good at fixing people."

Inara couldn't help but smile with a hint of pride at the comment. "Not even a cup?"

"Shuìjiào." River mumbled, pulling the blanket up so that it swallowed her entirely

Set the cups on the tray, she nodded slightly. "Ránhòu tiánmì de mèng."

The boys watched her returning with delicate looking cups on an ornate tray. Both did there best not to fidget. They weren't entirely sure why, but she made them feel like they needed to be on their best behavior.

"Here we go." Passing Warren a cup, she then sat and helped William sit up. "It's a little hot, so be careful."

The little one's eyes studied the dark liquid suspiciously. "This'll help my belly ache?"

"It'll soothe it away." She reassured with a voice that had some extra honey to it, taking a sip of her own cup. "It's mostly ginger and mint."

"It's good." Warren coaxed his little brother by taking a drink himself.

William cautiously took a sip. Not put off by the temperature, he took longer drink. It was followed by a pleased 'Mmm.' sound. "Tastes like peppermints."

"I know, that's why I like it." Watching him take another long drink, Inara chuckled. "Slow down xiǎo gèzi, that was what got you in trouble in the first place." He looked up at her sheepishly, a sheepishness she had seen many times before by a much larger model, and she responded by setting her cup down. Reaching over Inara began to rub his back in slow, soothing circles. "How's the ache?"

William yawned, leaning against her and taking a much smaller sip. "Better." His fingers played with the dainty porcelain. He ran them along the brushstrokes of the paint; tracing flowers and geometric shapes.

"Just take your time." Inara coached. "There's no rush."

"'Kay." He took another sip and settled closer.

"And how are you doing, Warren?"

"Just fine, Inara." He replied, pushing the shaggy brown waves of hair out of his face. "Thank you for the tea, it's good."

"I know William isn't too fond of Serenity-"

"Your shuttle's nice." The littlest corrected. "And you can call me Will. Everyone does."

She gave him an affectionate smile. "Well Will's not fond of most of Serenity, but what do you think?"

Warren smiled and he looked so much like her swain it hurt her. "It's a nice ship. What do you transport?"

"Just about anything, if the price is right." Inara studied the flecks of tea leaves in her cup, wondering how was best to break to the boys that they were on a pirate ship.

"What's your job?"

"I'm a Companion." The eldest flushed to the news and in return Inara offered a disarming smile that kept his ears from getting any redder. He studied the bed they were seated on with new eyes. "I rent this shuttle from Captain Reynolds, but I also assist in other areas."

"Ain't Companions really fancy?" William blurted sleepily.

"I suppose so." She chuckled. He was slipping into sleep, so she tugged the blanket up around his shoulders.

"I think what my brother is trying to say is is that it's surprising to see a Companion on a ship like… this." The eldest gestured grandly to the rest of the ship.

"Perhaps, but I love this ship and the crew. We're all very close." Inara caught the cup as William's fingers were relaxing. "Dear, take one more sip and you're done." helping him taking one last sip to finish off the tea, she set the cup aside. "There we go." Suddenly small arms were awkwardly wrapping around her, and a face nuzzled into her robe. "Hm, how's your tummy?"

"Good." He said drowsily, shutting his eyes as she kept rubbing his back. He let out a mighty yawn, his breathing slowing. Inara had officially won him over. She was kind and safe, and her tea tasted like peppermint candies. What more could he want?

Warren began to get up. "Let me take him back down-"

"Noooo." The little one whimpered, glomming onto the Companion. "My room's dark and noisy. I don't like it."

Waving the big brother off, the Companion felt compelled to mother the little one some. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his hair, petting out the soft sandy brown locks. Within the span of the visit, her hesitation had melted away.

Mal knew Zoe was right. He couldn't stew.

He kept telling himself that as he exited his bunk. He had to get over it, the baby daddy nonsense, and get to Highgate. The Captain also needed Inara. It was more of a want, but it was a deep want. As frustrating as she could be, she cared for him. She was second on his list for the night though. He had to check the first thing off.

"Simon!" He rapped on the door of the bunk, whispering loudly. "Simon!"

The door opened and a groggy young doctor glowered at him. "What?!"

Mal opened his mouth, then paused. "Are you drunk?"

"No?" Simon lied poorly as Kaylee pushed in front of him, wrapped up in a fuzzy robe.

"Captain, do you know what time it is?" She growled, clearly wanting to be cuddling her Core boy whilst in deep sleep.

He paused, trying to conjure up the time. "No?"

"That's 'cause it's late!" She snapped.

"Nǐ dàodǐ shì wèishéme?" Simon half yawned as the mechanic started leaning against him.

"It's been six hours."

The doctor rolled his eyes and disappeared briefly to fetch his robe and slippers. "Fine." He grunted, shuffling down the corridor and to his infirmary. Opening the door and switching on the lights, he wandered over to his equipment and grabbed the print out as Mal and Kaylee trailed in.

"Congratulations, it's a boy." Simon told Mal dryly. "I'm sorry, two boys."

"Ain't you ever heard of doctor patient confidentiality?" The Captain griped as Kaylee hopped up on the counter.

"You just don't want anyone to know." She told him, turning and giving Simon a prompting look. "So?"

"They're yours."

"I knew it." Kaylee said with all the scandelous enthusiam one would have watching a soap opera twist unfold.

"She's in the room!" Mal squalled like a wet cat. "What ever happened to those gorram oaths you took!"

"Since I took up with you they've become more... Like a set of guidelines to roughly follow… Occasionally… Sometimes… When I feel like it." Simon shrugged. "But they are is yours, 100 percent. Two more Reynolds men in the 'Verse… Shàngdì bāngzhù wǒmen." He ended grouchily.

Kaylee giggled. Her honey was worked up.

"I don't want this getting out." Mal told them both as he began to pace the length of the infirmary like a caged tiger.

"Why? So you can leave him on Highgate?" Simon fought back a yawn.

"You can't do that." Kaylee admonished. "They're family. They belong right here."

"Listen." Mal looked at Simon seriously. "Are you sure?"

"For god sakes, yes."

"Hey, that boy fumbled on those dates-"

"Because he had a gǎo zále childhood were everyone lied to him." Simon said in annoyance. "If there was something remotely wrong with them, River would have reacted. Now may we please go back to bed? We can discuss this more in the morning."

"Listen you two, it's my news to tell."

"Warren and William should both know." Simon told him with a hint of aggression. "They did agree to the test, they should be given the results."

Mal spun about to face the doctor. "Now Doc, you don't go telling anything-"

"I'm telling them." Simon declared cantankerously, stifling back another yawn. "But before that I'm going to bed, where I was before someone started banging on our cabin door in the middle of the gorram night." Walking over, he helped Kaylee down and left. "Turn off the lights when you're done."

Mal dragged his hand across his face. The color was gone from his cheeks, and he felt ready to keel over from stress. "Wèishéme zǒng shì wǒ? Shì yùnqì zài nǎlǐ? Tā mā de." He muttered to himself. The Captain found his way to the common room where he lingered, not quite knowing what to do. He had been banking on the test coming up negative so he could kick the two to the curb and be done with them. However he could no longer do that. Such was his luck, or supreme lack there of.

It wasn't pain that hit him, he had already gone through that. Yet there was numbness, disbelief, and it was enough to get him to head upstairs and seek refuge with the one person who managed to put up with his horse shit. However he saw Warren exiting her shuttle, and he froze.

"Hey." He called out hoarsely.

Warren seized up like someone had caught him stealing a painting straight off of a wall. Turning, he looked to the Captain nervously. "Hey?"

Mal knit his brows as he padded over in his t-shirt and sweatpants. "What were you doin' in there?"

"Xiǎodì couldn't sleep, so she let us come up and have tea?" He supplied, knowing what one could assume when one exited a Companion's quarters.

"Huh." Mal exhaled, looking from the boy to the shuttle door. Ke noticed how tall he was, how skinny he was. Kind of made him wonder who the hell was feeding the kid. "Where's- where's the little one?"

"She's got him. He's all fussy, doesn't want to leave." Warren saw his opportunity and slipped off as Malcolm wandered over to the door.

"Easy." Inara's voice cooed as Mal found her seated on her couch, the little boy in her arms as she rubbed his back and got him to sleep. Despite his age, he was small and light. Setting William down, she put his head on a pillow and fixed the blanket he was wrapped in. Pulling another throw off of the couch, she draped it over him for good measure. Inara could see Mal lingering there in the corner of her eye. As she left Will, he quietly stepped in.

"Seems you got a slumber party in here." He mused, eyeing River and the wee boy.

"Some people have problems sleeping." She noted, breezing past him over to her bed and picking up the tea cups to bus them to the tray were she kept her dirty dishes. Inara was determined not to bring it up first, he had to.

His eyes kept trained on the boy. Will. He had to remember. Will, with that round little baby face and big blue eyes. "How'd you get so good at motherin'?"

"I wouldn't call it mothering." She countered, heading to her bed.

"You do it to River and Emma, now this one."

"Captain, as a trained Companion I'm in the business of helping people find and/or execute their needs." She explained demurely as she began to turn down the bed. "Children have the most basic of needs. They want to feel safe and loved. A simple training house girl can fulfill that."

"Huh."

"We need to have Kaylee fix up a nightlight tomorrow for Will's room. He also doesn't like all of the noise, but I don't know what to do about tha-"

Mal's hands snaked around her waist, stopping her. Burying his nose into her dark, silken hair, he breathed deep. "I'm sorry." He said softly. "Don't say that near enough."

Inara's hands slipped on top of the palms resting flat on her belly. "Did you get through what you needed to?" She asked quietly.

"Enough." He sighed, finally mustering out. "They're mine."

"I'd be more surprised if they weren't." She confessed, patting one of the hands. Truth be told, Inara didn't know what to feel as she mulled the information over. Of course the boys were Mal's, yet the official announcement made it all the more real. On top of that she was somewhat taken with them. And yet at the same time it hurt, even though she'd never admit to that.

"I don't know this."

"There's enough of us around to figure it out." Inara reassured, turning around and putting on a brave face. She stole a kiss and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "You seem to forget this crew excels at adapting to new challenges."

Mal wasn't sold on the idea, and it showed by the way his tired eyes swept to the side. Inara reined him back in though. She snaked a hand up and scratched his scalp while giving him a much more beckoning lip lock. Pulling his shirt up and off, she kissed his chest.

"Come on." She maneuvered him towards the bed. "You need rest, you have crime lined up."

Exhausted, he obliged.

Translation

Wa: Whoa

Shuìjiào: Sleep

Ránhòu tiánmì de mèng.: Sweet dreams then.

xiǎo gèzi: little man

Nǐ dàodǐ shì wèishéme?: Why the hell are you here?

Shàngdì bāngzhù wǒmen: God help us all

Gǎo zále: Fucked up

Wèishéme zǒng shì wǒ? Shì yùnqì zài nǎlǐ? Tā mā de.: Why it is always me? Where is the luck? Fuck

Xiǎodì: Little brother

A/N: Crime is indeed lined up. Reviews are always shiny.